Showdown (Dekker novel)

Showdown is a 2006 mystery novel written by Ted Dekker. It is the first in the series of the 'Project' Books.

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Plot summary

A strange man arrives in Paradise, Colorado, going by the name Marsuvees Black. He brings a mixed message and demands to speak with the townspeople, in which some people agree with his views on good and evil and some do not. The behavior of people in town grows increasingly erratic and strange as Johnny, the protagonist, watches. He seems to be the only one not being corrupted.

Meanwhile, in the mountains above Colorado, a special university is being run as a project to create a 'noble savage'. Billy, one of the children, is disobeying the rules and venturing into hidden tunnels below the building. He soon lures other children there, and eventually grows so in tune to the power of the books he is writing in that he challenges the teachers of the university. Christine, one of the students at the monastery, confronts Billy in a debate but loses, and Billy is allowed to change the school's rules.

The destinies of Paradise and the students above it collide when it turns out that the things Billy is writing are becoming truths in the town below, and Marsuvees Black is helping Billy write the stories while a second, written Black stirs up the townspeople. In the end, the fictional Black confronts the real Black, who he kills and walks away with the one of the blank books in his hands. Samuel attempts to defeat Black using a character he writes in one of the books. He eventually resorts to confronting the Black in the village, and loses after a struggle and debate. He is killed, but David, the headmaster and father of Samuel, is able to write in the books (due to having showed faith by trusting the sacrifice of his son) and brings Samuel back to life. The fictional Black vanishes, and the town is returned to normal, with the townpeople repenting, along with the children in the monastery.